Substantial increase in perceived benefits over harms of COVID-19 outbreak but persistent socioeconomic disparities: Comparison of two cross-sectional surveys in Hong Kong from 2020 to 2021

Self Cite

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic drives psychological distress. Previous studies have mostly focused on individual determinants but overlooked family factors. The present study aimed to examine the associations of individual and family factors with psychological distress, and the mediating effect of individual fear and the moderating role of household income on the above associations.MethodsWe conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey on Chinese adults in Hong Kong from February to March 2021 (N = 2,251) to measure the independent variables of anti-epidemic fatigue, anti-epidemic confidence, individual and family members’ fear of COVID-19, and family well-being (range 0–10), and the dependent variable of psychological distress (through four-item Patient Health Questionnaire, range 0–4).ResultsHierarchical regression showed that anti-epidemic fatigue was positively (β = 0.23, 95% CI [0.18, 0.28]) while anti-epidemic confidence was negatively (β = −0.29, 95% CI [−0.36, −0.22]) associated with psychological distress. Family members’ fear of COVID-19 was positively (β = 0.11, 95% CI [0.05, 0.16]) while family well-being was negatively (β = −0.57, 95% CI [−0.63, −0.51]) associated with psychological distress. Structural equation model showed that individual fear mediated the above associations except for family well-being. Multi-group analyses showed a non-significant direct effect of anti-epidemic confidence and a slightly stronger direct effect of family well-being on psychological distress among participants with lower incomes, compared to those with higher incomes.ConclusionWe have first reported the double-edged effect of family context on psychological distress, with the positive association between family members’ fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress fully mediated by individual fear and the negative association between family well-being and psychological distress moderated by income level. Future studies are warranted to investigate how the contagion of fear develops in the family and how the inequality of family resources impacts family members’ mental health amid the pandemic.

“…The survey design and methods have been published ( 16 , 42 , 43 ). Specifically, this survey used a combination of probability and non-probability sampling methods.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family context as a double-edged sword for psychological distress amid the COVID-19 pandemic with the mediating effect of individual fear and the moderating effect of household income

Chen

Gong

Lai

et al. 2023

Self Cite

“…Detailed methods and procedures have been reported elsewhere ( 12 , 26 ). Briefly, the landline and mobile telephone interviews were conducted by well-trained interviewers from Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI), a well-known local survey agency.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There was no validated questionnaire on the perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19. The corresponding questions were designed by our team and have been published elsewhere ( 8 , 12 , 16 ). We had done some pilot tests, and no difficulties or sensitive issues were reported by pilot respondents, suggesting face validity.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, perception toward COVID-19 could change over time, given that people could be protected against the severe COVID-19 outcomes owing to the vaccine availability ( 9 , 10 ), as well as their emotional adaption to the changes in the way of life and work brought by the pandemic ( 11 ). Our later survey (conducted from February to March 2021) found that perceived benefits increased substantially over time, while perceived harms were lower and stable ( 12 ), suggesting the grouping patterns of perceived benefits and harms may be changed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Using latent profile analysis, three groups (indifferent, benefit, and harm) of perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 ( 8 ) had been identified at the beginning of the outbreak. Grouping patterns of perceived benefits and harms changed over time ( 12 ), so re-exploration of grouping patterns is warranted.…”

Section: Theory and Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Associations of the perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 with confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health symptoms: a population-based survey in Hong Kong

Yang

Gong

Lai

et al. 2023

Self Cite

IntroductionBoth perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 have been reported, but whether they affect confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health remains uncertain.ObjectiveTo examine the association of perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19 with confidence in coping with the pandemic and mental health symptoms.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted on 7,535 Hong Kong adults from 22 February to 23 March 2021, when the 4th wave of COVID-19 was under control. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, perceived benefits (10 options) and harms (12 options) of COVID-19, confidence in coping with the pandemic (range 0–10), loneliness (range 0–4), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorders-2, range 0–6) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, range 0–6) was collected. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the combined patterns of perceived benefits and harms of COVID-19. The associations of combined patterns with confidence in coping with COVID-19, loneliness, anxiety, and depression were examined using linear regression (β coefficient) adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsThe combined patterns of perceived benefits and harms were classified into benefit (n = 4,338, 59.3%), harm (n = 995, 14.0%), and ambivalent (n = 2,202, 26.7%) groups. Compared with the ambivalent group, the benefit group had a significantly higher level of confidence (adjusted β 0.46, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.58), and lower levels of loneliness (−0.35, −0.40 to-0.29), anxiety (−0.67, 0.76 to-0.59), and depression (−0.65, −0.73 to-0.57). The harm group had a significantly lower level of confidence (−0.35, −0.53 to-0.16), and higher levels of loneliness (0.38, 0.30 to 0.45), anxiety (0.84, 0.73 to 0.96), and depression (0.95, 0.84 to 1.07).ConclusionPerceived greater benefit from COVID-19 was associated with better mental health and stronger confidence in coping with the pandemic.

The effect of social support on home isolation anxiety and depression among college students in the post-pandemic era: the mediating effect of perceived loss of control and the moderating role of family socioeconomic status

Shi

2024

BackgroundThere is an escalating concern about the rising levels of anxiety and depression among college students, especially during the post-pandemic era. A thorough examination of the various dimensions of social support and their impact on these negative emotions in college students is imperative.AimThis study aimed to determine if a perceived loss of control mediates the relationship between social support and levels of anxiety and depression among college students during the post-pandemic era. Additionally, it examined whether family socioeconomic status moderates this mediated relationship.MethodsWe administered an online cross-sectional survey in China, securing responses from 502 participants. The sample comprised home-isolated college students impacted by COVID-19. Established scales were employed to assess social support, anxiety, depression, perceived loss of control, and family socioeconomic status. Analytical techniques included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and a bootstrap method to investigate mediating and moderating effects.ResultsSocial support was found to negatively affect anxiety and depression in college students, with perceived loss of control partially mediating this relationship. In addition, family socio-economic status was shown to moderate this moderating process. Furthermore, family socioeconomic status influenced this mediation, with higher socioeconomic families exhibiting a stronger moderating effect on perceived loss of control across different dimensions of social support.ConclusionThis study may help to develop strategies to mitigate the impact of anxiety and depression in the lives and studies of university students during unexpected public health crises, and to promote better mental health among college students.